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Pedestrian crossings

The council installs pedestrian crossings of various types on
key routes to encourage people to walk and to improve safety.

Puffin crossings (Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent
Crossing)

Puffin crossings look very similar to pelicans. Puffin crossings
are an updated version of a pelican crossing. One of the main
differences is that the red and green man signals are just above
the WAIT box and not on the other side of the road.

Pedestrians should press the button on the box. Puffin crossings
have special sensors built in which can detect a pedestrian waiting
and make sure that traffic remains stopped until all the
pedestrians have crossed the road. Puffins do not have a flashing
green man for pedestrians or a flashing amber light for
drivers.

Pelican (Pedestrian Light Controlled Crossing)

Pelican crossings are controlled by the pedestrian pressing the
button on the WAIT box. Pedestrians should only cross when the
green man lights up and all the traffic has stopped.

Sometimes there is a bleeper to help blind or partially sighted
people know when it is safe to cross. Alternatively there may be a
rotating knob underneath the WAIT box, which turns when the green
man lights up.

Pedestrians should not start to cross if the green man is
flashing.

Zebra Crossing

This crossing has black and white stripes (like a zebra) with
orange flashing beacons at each end. A zebra crossing gives the
pedestrian right of way once their foot is on the crossing.
However, pedestrians must make sure that all the traffic has
stopped before crossing and they should keep looking and listening
as they cross.

Toucan crossings (Two-Can Cross)

These crossings are provided for pedestrians and cyclists,
usually at sites where cycle routes cross busy roads. They are
similar to a puffin with the crossing operated by a push button on
the WAIT box.

On a toucan there is a green and red cycle signal as well as the
more familiar red and green man. The main advantage for cyclists is
that they do not have to dismount to cross.

Toucans also have sensors to detect pedestrians using the
crossing. There is no flashing green man signal and drivers must
wait for a green light.

Pedestrian refuges

In some locations, where a pedestrian crossing cannot be
justified, a pedestrian refuge (traffic island) may be placed.
These narrow the road and allow pedestrians to cross in two halves
with a safe place to wait in the middle. Pedestrians should cross
with care as drivers have priority at traffic islands.

Requesting a new pedestrian crossing

A pedestrian crossing cannot always be provided in the location
requested. Following a request, each site is surveyed and the
results compared with national criteria to judge whether the
location is appropriate.

The main factors measured are the number of people crossing and
the amount of traffic. Other factors include the number of injuries
on the road near the site, sight lines for approaching traffic,
parking demand and local features such as hospitals, schools and
shops.